Exhalomics as a noninvasive method for assessing rumen fermentation in dairy cows: Can exhaled-breath metabolomics replace rumen sampling?

Previously, we used secondary electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (SESI-MS) to investigate the diurnal patterns and signal intensities of exhaled (EX) volatile fatty acids (VFA) of dairy cows. The current study aimed to validate the potential of an exhalomics approach for evaluating rumen fermentation. The experiment was conducted in a switchback design, with 3 periods of 9 d each, including 7 d for adaptation and 2 d for sampling. Four rumen-cannulated original Swiss Brown (Braunvieh) cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 diet sequences (ABA or BAB): (A) low starch (LS; 6.31% starch on a dry matter basis) and (B) high starch (HS; 16.2% starch on a dry matter basis). Feeding was once per day at 0830 h. Exhalome (with the GreenFeed System), and rumen samples were collected 8 times to represent every 3 h of a day, and EX-VFA and ruminal (RM)-VFA were analyzed using SESI-MS and HPLC, respectively. Furthermore, the VFA concentration in the gas phase (HR-VFA) was predicted based on RM-VFA and Henry's Law (HR) constants. No interactions were identified between the types of diets (HS vs. LS) and the measurement methods on daily average VFA profiles (RM vs. EX or HR vs. EX), suggesting a consistent performance among the methods. Additionally, when the 3-h interval VFA data from HS and LS diets were analyzed separately, no interactions were observed between methods and time of day, indicating that the relative daily pattern of VFA molar proportions was similar regardless of the VFA measurement method used. The results revealed that the levels of acetate sharply increased immediately after feeding, trailed by an increase in the acetate:propionate ratio and a steady increase for propionate (2 h after feeding the HS diet, 4 h for LS), and butyrate. This change was more pronounced for the HS diet than the LS diet. However, there was no overall diet effect on the VFA molar proportions, although the measurement methods affected the molar proportions. Furthermore, we observed a strong positive correlation between the levels of RM and EX acetate for both diets (HS: r = 0.84; LS: r = 0.85), RM and EX propionate (r = 0.74), and RM and EX acetate:propionate ratio (r = 0.80). Both EX-VFA and RM-VFA exhibited similar responses to feeding and dietary treatments, suggesting that EX-VFA could serve as a useful proxy for characterizing RM-VFA molar proportions to evaluate rumen fermentation. Similar relationships were observed between RM-VFA and HR-VFA. In conclusion, this study underscores the potential of exhalomics as a reliable approach for assessing rumen fermentation. Moving forward, research should further explore the depth of exhalomics in ruminant studies to provide a comprehensive insight into rumen fermentation metabolites, especially across diverse dietary conditions.

[A real-world study on the features of postpartum hepatitis flares in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection]

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of postpartum hepatitis flares in pregnant women with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted. Patients who met the enrollment criteria were included. Liver function and HBV virology tests were collected from pregnant women with chronic HBV infection at delivery, 6, 24, 36, and 48 weeks after delivery through the hospital information and test system. Additionally, antiviral therapy types and drug withdrawal times were collected. Statistical analysis was performed on all the resulting data. Results: A total of 533 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria were included, with all patients aged (29.5±3.7) years old. A total of 408 cases received antiviral drugs during pregnancy to interrupt mother-to-child transmission. There was no significant difference in the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT, z = -1.981, P = 0.048), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, z = -3.956, P < 0.001), HBV load (z = -15.292, P < 0.001), and HBeAg (z = -4.77, P < 0.001) at delivery in patients who received medication and those who did not. All patients ALT, AST, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and albumin showed an upward trend within six weeks after delivery. A total of 231 cases developed hepatitis within 48 weeks after delivery. Among them, 173 cases first showed ALT abnormalities within six weeks postpartum. Conclusion: Hepatitis flare incidence peaked six weeks after delivery or six weeks after drug withdrawal in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection.

[Serum hepatitis B virus pregenomic RNA profiles in patients with chronic hepatitis B on long-term antiviral therapy]

Objective: To explore the clinical changes in levels of the new clinical marker serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with long-term antiviral therapy. Methods: 100 CHB cases who were initially treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) at Peking University First Hospital were included. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HBV DNA, hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg), and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during the follow-up period were measured. The TaqMan-based real-time quantitative PCR method was used to detect serum HBV pgRNA levels. The independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare continuous variables between groups, while Pearson's χ (2) test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare categorical variables. Results: HBV pgRNA levels decreased significantly in patients who developed virological responses at 48 weeks (n = 54) during subsequent treatment compared to those who did not (n = 46). The HBV pgRNA level was lower in HBeAg-positive patients than in HBeAg-negative patients (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Patients with higher HBV DNA and HBeAg-positivity levels at baseline had a higher HBV pgRNA level following antiviral therapy. There was no statistically significant difference in HBV pgRNA levels in patients with different HBV pgRNA levels at baseline after antiviral therapy. There was no correlation between serum HBV pgRNA and HBsAg at baseline, but there was a correlation after long-term antiviral therapy, while there was a weak correlation between HBV pgRNA and HBsAg at the fifth and ninth years of antiviral therapy (r = 0.262, P = 0.031; r = 0.288, P = 0.008). Conclusion: HBV pgRNA levels were higher with higher HBV activity in CHB patients with long-term antiviral therapy.

Clinical characteristics of systemic sclerosis patients with occupational silicosis

To explore the clinical characteristics of systemic sclerosis complicated with silicosis. The systemic sclerosis patients treated in the Guangxi Workers' Hospital and the People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from January 2000 to December 2020 were divided into the systemic sclerosis with silicosis group and the systemic sclerosis without silicosis group. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier estimates the Cox proportional hazards model. A propensity score matching was applied in order to avoid the selection bias.Over the past 20 years, 72 systemic sclerosis patients with silicosis and 238 systemic sclerosis patients without silicosis were treated in the two hospitals. The systemic sclerosis patients with silicosis group had more males (P < 0.000),lower mean age at onset of SSc (P < 0.000), more frequent occurrence of weight loss (P = 0.028), smoking (P < 0.000), tuberculosis (P < 0.000), cardiac involvement (P < 0.000), ILD (P = 0.017), pulmonary hypertension (P = 0.024), elevated BNP (P < 0.000). With regards to the multivariate Cox regression analysis, silicosis was related with a higher overall mortality before (HR = 3.666, 95% CI = 1.440-11.234, p = 0.025) and after the propensity score matching analysis (HR = 2.817, 95% CI = 1.196-10.764, p = 0.014). Independent risk factors for overall mortality were Gangrene (HR = 3.003, 95% CI = 1.343-9.431), Cardiac involved (HR = 5.370, 95% CI = 1.910-15.472), Scl-70 (HR = 3.569, 95% CI = 1.333-10.869), Elevated BNP (HR = 2.135, 95% CI = 1.293-9.564).Concomitant silicosis worsens systemic sclerosis patients' prognoses. Gangrene, Scl-70, elevated BNP and cardiac involvement are independent risk factors for overall mortality. Key Points •Concomitant silicosis worsens SSc patients' prognoses. •For individuals with occupational exposure, close observation of the symptoms of SSc, early diagnosis, and interruption of exposure may improve the prognosis. •Gangrene, Scl-70, elevated BNP and cardiac involvement are independent risk factors for overall mortality.

The association between periodontitis and hepatitis virus infection: a cross-sectional study utilizing data from the NHANES database (2003-2018)

OBJECTIVES

Periodontitis and hepatitis virus infection significantly impact individuals' well-being and are prevalent public health concerns globally. Given the current scarcity of large-scale cross-sectional epidemiological studies, this study seeks to enrich the evidence base by examining the link between these two conditions.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning the years 2003-2018. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between periodontitis and hepatitis virus infection, adjusting for the potential confounding factors. Subsequently, a stratified analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between periodontitis and hepatitis virus infection based on age, gender, race, marital status, alcohol consumption, smoking status, and the presence of chronic diseases.

RESULTS

In this study, which included 5755 participants, there was a positive association between hepatitis virus infection and periodontitis (odds ratio [OR]: 2.609 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.513, 4.499]). Furthermore, a significant association was observed between moderate periodontitis and hepatitis virus infection (OR: 2.136 [95% CI: 1.194, 3.822]), and this association was even stronger for severe periodontitis (OR: 3.583 [95% CI: 1.779, 7.217]). Importantly, this positive association between hepatitis virus infection and periodontitis was consistent across different subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents evidence of a significant association between periodontitis and hepatitis virus infection. These findings highlight the crucial importance of integrating periodontal health and liver health considerations into public health interventions. Further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted interventions for effectively managing periodontitis and hepatitis virus infection.

Pyridostigmine ameliorates pristane-induced arthritis symptoms in Dark Agouti rats

OBJECTIVE

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder. Pyridostigmine (PYR), an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, has been shown to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in several animal models for inflammation-associated conditions. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of PYR on pristane-induced (PIA) in Dark Agouti (DA) rats.

METHOD

DA rats were intradermally infused with pristane to establish the PIA model, which was treated with PYR (10 mg/kg/day) for 27 days. The effects of PYR on synovial inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota were evaluated by determining arthritis scores, H&E staining, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and biochemical assays, as well as 16S rDNA sequencing.

RESULTS

Pristane induced arthritis, with swollen paws and body weight loss, increased arthritis scores, synovium hyperplasia, and bone or cartilage erosion. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in synovium was higher in the PIA group than in the control group. PIA rats also displayed elevated levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in plasma. Moreover, sequencing results showed that the richness, diversity, and composition of the gut microbiota dramatically changed in PIA rats. PYR abolished pristane-induced inflammation and oxidative stress, and corrected the gut microbiota dysbiosis.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study support the protective role of PYR in PIA in DA rats, associated with the attenuation of inflammation and correction of gut microbiota dysbiosis. These findings open new perspectives for pharmacological interventions in animal models of RA.

The influence of residual plural scattering after deconvolution in electron magnetic chiral dichroism

This work investigated the existence and influence of residual plural scattering in electron magnetic chiral dichroism (EMCD) spectra. A series of low-loss, conventional core-loss, and q-resolved core-loss spectra at Fe-L2,3 edges were detected from areas of different thicknesses in a plane-view sample of Fe/MgO (001) thin film. It reveals by comparison that there remains noticeable plural scattering in q-resolved spectra acquired at two particular chiral positions after deconvolution, and the residual scattering is more significant in thicker areas than thinner ones. Accordingly, the orbital-to-spin moment ratio extracted from EMCD spectra, which is the difference between the two q-resolved spectra after deconvolution, would be in principle increased with increasing sample thickness. The randomly fluctuated moment ratios displayed in our experiments are greatly attributed to a slight and irregular variation of local diffraction conditions due to the bending effect and imperfect epitaxy in detected areas. We suggest EMCD spectra should be acquired from sufficiently thin samples to minimize the plural scattering effect in originally detected spectra before any deconvolution. In addition, great care should be taken for slight misorientation and imperfect epitaxy when performing EMCD investigation on epitaxial thin films using a nano beam.

Human Leukocyte Antigen Polymorphism HLA-A*24:02 is Associated with Acute Liver Disease in HBV-Infected Han Chinese Adults

BACKGROUND

Whether polymorphic Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-A, HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 alleles were associated with acute liver disease after hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections was investigated.

METHODS

In this study, from initially 100 participants in each group, HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 sequences were available from 86 acute hepatitis B (AHB) patients and from 84 HBV-resistant individuals (controls), using sequencing-based typing allele groups and alleles that exhibited differences in distribution between the case and control groups were subjected to chi-squared and logistic regression analyses to identify those associated with AHB. A dose response analysis was also performed on the effect of HLA-A*24:02 allele number on acute liver disease following HBV infection.

RESULTS

The frequency distribution of HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 alleles in the control group were in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (P > .05). HLA-A*24:02 (χ2 = 6.949, P = .008) occurred most frequently in the AHB and HLA-DRB1*12:02 (χ2 = 7.768, P = .005) in the control group. With adjustment for sex, the logistic regression model showed that the HLA-A*24:02 allele was significantly associated with AHB liver injury (P = .0326, OR = 2.270, 95% CI: 1.070-4.816), whereas the other HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1 alleles were not (P > .05). A linear response was observed for the association between HLA-A*24:02 allele number and acute liver disease after HBV infections (χ2 = 4.428, P = .025).

CONCLUSION

The HLA-A*24:02 allele may influence the severity of the cellular response to HBV infection, increasing the elimination of HBV-infected hepatocytes. The HLA-A*24:02 allele may be a potential screening marker for identifying people or regional populations in China at higher risk of acute liver disease following HBV infection.

Lipidomic diversity and proxy implications of archaea from cold seep sediments of the South China Sea

Cold seeps on the continental margins are characterized by intense microbial activities that consume a large portion of methane by anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) through anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM). Although ANMEs are known to contain unique ether lipids that may have an important function in marine carbon cycling, their full lipidomic profiles and functional distribution in particular cold-seep settings are still poorly characterized. Here, we combined the 16S rRNA gene sequencing and lipidomic approaches to analyze archaeal communities and their lipids in cold seep sediments with distinct methane supplies from the South China Sea. The archaeal community was dominated by ANME-1 in the moderate seepage area with strong methane emission. Low seepage area presented higher archaeal diversity covering Lokiarchaeia, Bathyarchaeia, and Thermoplasmata. A total of 55 core lipids (CLs) and intact polar lipids (IPLs) of archaea were identified, which included glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs), hydroxy-GDGTs (OH-GDGTs), archaeol (AR), hydroxyarchaeol (OH-AR), and dihydroxyarchaeol (2OH-AR). Diverse polar headgroups constituted the archaeal IPLs. High concentrations of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) with depleted δ13CDIC and high methane index (MI) values based on both CLs (MICL) and IPLs (MIIPL) indicate that ANMEs were active in the moderate seepage area. The ANME-2 and ANME-3 clades were characterized by enhanced glycosidic and phosphoric diether lipids production, indicating their potential role in coupling carbon and phosphurus cycling in cold seep ecosystems. ANME-1, though representing a smaller proportion of total archaea than ANME-2 and ANME-3 in the low seepage area, showed a positive correlation with MIIPL, indicating a different mechanism contributing to the IPL-GDGT pool. This also suggests that MIIPL could be a sensitive index to trace AOM activities performed by ANME-1. Overall, our study expands the understanding of the archaeal lipid composition in the cold seep and improves the application of MI using intact polar lipids that potentially link to extent ANME activities.

STING-Dependent Sensing of Self-DNA Driving Pyroptosis Contributes to Radiation-Induced Lung Injury

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Radiation therapy (RT) is indispensable for managing thoracic carcinomas. However, its application is limited by radiation-induced lung injury (RILI), one of the most common and fatal complications of thoracic RT. Nonetheless, the exact molecular mechanisms of RILI remain poorly understood.

MATERIALS/METHODS

To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, various knockout (KO) mouse strains were subjected to 16 Gy whole-thoracic RT. RILI was assessed by qRT-PCR, ELISA, histology, western blot, immunohistochemistry, and CT examination. To perform further mechanistic studies on the signaling cascade during the RILI process, pulldown, CHIP, and rescue assays were conducted.

RESULTS

We found that the cGAS-STING pathway was significantly upregulated after irradiation exposure in both the mouse models and clinical lung tissues. Knocking down either cGAS or STING led to attenuated inflammation and fibrosis in mouse lung tissues. NLRP3 is hardwired to the upstream DNA-sensing cGAS-STING pathway to trigger of the inflammasome and amplification of the inflammatory response. STING deficiency suppressed the expressions of the NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis-pertinent components containing IL-1β, IL-18, and cleaved caspase-1. Mechanistically, interferon regulatory factor 3, the essential transcription factor downstream of cGAS-STING, promoted the pyroptosis by transcriptionally activating NLRP3. Moreover, we found that RT triggered the release of self-dsDNA in the bronchoalveolar space, which is essential for the activation of cGAS-STING and the downstream NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis. Of note, Pulmozyme, an old drug for the management of cystic fibrosis, was revealed to have the potential to mitigate RILI by degrading extracellular dsDNA and then inhibiting the cGAS-STING-NLRP3 signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

These results delineated the crucial function of cGAS-STING as a key mediator of RILI, and described a mechanism of pyroptosis linking cGAS-STING activation with the amplification of initial RILI. These findings indicate that the dsDNA-cGAS-STING-NLRP3 axis might be potentially amenable to therapeutic targeting for RILI.

Optimal Cisplatin Cycles in Locally Advanced Cervical Carcinoma Patients Treated with Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To analyze the effect of cisplatin cycles on the clinical outcomes of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

MATERIALS/METHODS

This study included 749 patients with LACC treated with CCRT between January 2011 and December 2015. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the optimal cut-off of cisplatin cycles in predicting clinical outcomes. Clinicopathological features of the patients were compared using the Chi-square test. Prognosis was assessed using log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazard models. Toxicities were compared among different cisplatin cycle groups.

RESULTS

Based on the ROC curve, the optimal cut-off of the cisplatin cycles was 4.5 (sensitivity, 64.3%; specificity, 54.3%). The 3-year overall, disease-free, loco-regional relapse-free, and distant metastasis-free survival for patients with low-cycles (cisplatin cycles < 5) and high-cycles (≥ 5) were 81.5% and 89.0% (P < 0.001), 73.4% and 80.1% (P = 0.024), 83.0% and 90.8% (P = 0.005), and 84.9% and 86.8% (P = 0.271), respectively. In multivariate analysis, cisplatin cycles were an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. In the subgroup analysis of high-cycle patients, patients who received over five cisplatin cycles had similar overall, disease-free, loco-regional relapse-free, and distant metastasis-free survival to patients treated with five cycles. Acute and late toxicities were not different between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Cisplatin cycles were associated with overall, disease-free, and loco-regional relapse-free survival in LACC patients who received CCRT. Five cycles appeared to be the optimal number of cisplatin cycles during CCRT.

[Research advances of sepsis biomarkers]

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition for patients. Biomarkers can be used for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic assessment of sepsis. In recent years, new biomarkers for sepsis have been discovered, and more than 250 biomarkers have been identified so far. The complexity of the sepsis process and the increased sensitivity of various detection techniques will lead to the emergence of new biomarkers. However, there is still a lack of specific diagnostic biomarkers and effective therapeutic approaches for sepsis in clinical practice. Therefore, the search for reliable biomarkers and the evaluation of the role of biomarkers in sepsis will undoubtedly aid in clinical decision-making. This article reviews the advances on research of sepsis biomarkers in order to improve understanding of current biomarkers of sepsis, and provide reference for the application of biomarkers in clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of sepsis.

Early strategy vs. late initiation of renal replacement therapy in adult patients with acute kidney injury: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

The optimal time to start renal replacement therapy (RRT) for acute kidney injury (AKI) remains controversial. We aim to compare the effects of early vs. delayed RRT initiation on clinical outcomes in adult patients with AKI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the International Clinical Trial registry platform were systematically searched from inception to 7 August 2022. The review included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing early and delayed initiation of RRT in AKI patients. The selected primary outcomes were short-term and long-term mortality. Secondary outcomes included RRT dependency, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, hospital length of stay, mechanical ventilator-free days, vasoactive agents-free days, RRT-free days, and adverse events.

RESULTS

Overall, 15 RCTs, including 5,625 patients, were analyzed. Early RRT showed no survival benefit when compared to the delayed therapy (28-or 30-day mortality: RR, 1.01, 95% CI: 0.94-1.08, p = 0.87; 60-day mortality: RR, 0.87, 95% CI: 0.71-1.06, p = 0.16; 90-day mortality: RR, 1.00, 95% CI: 0.88-1.13, p = 0.97; in-hospital mortality: RR, 1.05, 95% CI: 0.88-1.24, p = 0.58; ICU mortality: RR, 1.00, 95% CI: 0.91-1.10, p = 0.98). The delayed RRT did not lead to a higher risk of RRT dependency, ICU, or hospital length of stay than the early RRT. Similarly, early initiation of RRT did not lead to longer ventilator-free, vasoactive agent-free, and RRT-free days. However, early RRT initiation was associated with more adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested that early RRT initiation was not associated with survival benefits or better clinical outcomes and increased the risk of RRT-associated adverse events. Current evidence does not support the use of early RRT for AKI patients without urgent indications.

Modeling the charge collection efficiency in the Li-diffused inactive layer of P-type high purity germanium detector

A model of the Li-diffused inactive layer in P-type high purity germanium detectors is built to describe the transportation of charge carriers and calculate the charge collection efficiency therein. The model is applied to calculate charge collection efficiency of a P-type point-contact germanium detector used in rare event physics experiments and validated in another P-type semi-planar germanium detector. The calculated charge collection efficiency curves are well consistent with measurements for both detectors. Effects of the Li doping processes on the charge collection efficiency are discussed based on the model. This model can be easily extended to other P-type germanium detectors, for instance, the P-type broad-energy Ge detector, and the P-type inverted-coaxial point-contact detector.

Effect of surface gallium termination on the formation and emission energy of an InGaAs wetting layer during the growth of InGaAs quantum dots by droplet epitaxy

Self-assembled quantum dots (QDs) based on III-V semiconductors have excellent properties for applications in quantum optics. However, the presence of a 2D wetting layer (WL) which forms during the Stranski-Krastanov growth of QDs can limit their performance. Here, we investigate WL formation during QD growth by the droplet epitaxy technique. We use a combination of photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy, lifetime measurements, and transmission electron microscopy to identify the presence of an InGaAs WL in these droplet epitaxy QDs, even in the absence of distinguishable WL luminescence. We observe that increasing the amount of Ga deposited on a GaAs (100) surface prior to the growth of InGaAs QDs leads to a significant reduction in the emission wavelength of the WL to the point where it can no longer be distinguished from the GaAs acceptor peak emission in photoluminescence measurements. However increasing the amount of Ga deposited does not suppress the formation of a WL under the growth conditions used here.

Constraints on Sub-GeV Dark Matter-Electron Scattering from the CDEX-10 Experiment

We present improved germanium-based constraints on sub-GeV dark matter via dark matter-electron (χ-e) scattering using the 205.4  kg·day dataset from the CDEX-10 experiment. Using a novel calculation technique, we attain predicted χ-e scattering spectra observable in high-purity germanium detectors. In the heavy mediator scenario, our results achieve 3 orders of magnitude of improvement for m_{χ} larger than 80  MeV/c^{2} compared to previous germanium-based χ-e results. We also present the most stringent χ-e cross-section limit to date among experiments using solid-state detectors for m_{χ} larger than 90  MeV/c^{2} with heavy mediators and m_{χ} larger than 100  MeV/c^{2} with electric dipole coupling. The result proves the feasibility and demonstrates the vast potential of a new χ-e detection method with high-purity germanium detectors in ultralow radioactive background.

Exotic Dark Matter Search with the CDEX-10 Experiment at China's Jinping Underground Laboratory

A search for exotic dark matter (DM) in the sub-GeV mass range has been conducted using 205 kg day data taken from a p-type point contact germanium detector of the CDEX-10 experiment at China's Jinping underground laboratory. New low-mass dark matter searching channels, neutral current fermionic DM absorption (χ+A→ν+A) and DM-nucleus 3→2 scattering (χ+χ+A→ϕ+A), have been analyzed with an energy threshold of 160 eVee. No significant signal was found; thus new limits on the DM-nucleon interaction cross section are set for both models at the sub-GeV DM mass region. A cross section limit for the fermionic DM absorption is set to be 2.5×10^{-46}  cm^{2} (90% C.L.) at DM mass of 10  MeV/c^{2}. For the DM-nucleus 3→2 scattering scenario, limits are extended to DM mass of 5 and 14  MeV/c^{2} for the massless dark photon and bound DM final state, respectively.

[Research advances on the interaction between Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophages and the host]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common pathogen of burn wound infection. It can encode a variety of virulence factors and is highly pathogenic, which can lead to poor prognosis and high mortality. In order to research a new method to combat Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, researchers have observed a wide range of interactions between the bacteriophages and the host. Bacteriophages influence and even dominate the structure, movement, and metabolism of host bacteria through a variety of mechanisms, catalyze the evolution of the host, and are also an important factor in host environmental adaptability and pathogenicity. In this paper, the interaction between Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophages and the host is reviewed from the single cell level and the population level. Understanding these interactions could provide new idea for the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical infections, provides a basis for future development of antimicrobial agents and guides the treatment of burn infections.

[Cold stress reduces lifespan and mobility of C. elegans by mediating lipid metabolism disorder and abnormal stress]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes of lipid metabolism and stress response of adult C.elegans exposed to non-freezing low temperature and explore the possible mechanism.

METHODS

The survival rate and activity of adult C.elegans cultured at 20℃ or 4℃ were observed.Lipid metabolism of the cultured adult C.elegans was evaluated using oil red O staining and by detecting the expressions of the genes related with lipid metabolism.The effects of low temperature exposure on stress level of adult C.elegans were evaluated using mitochondrial fluorescence staining and by detecting the expression levels of stress-related genes and antioxidant genes at both the mRNA and protein levels.

RESULTS

The lifespan and activity of adult C.elegans exposed to low temperature were significantly reduced with decreased lipid accumulation (P < 0.05) and decreased expressions of genes related with fatty acid synthesis and metabolism (fat-5, fat-6, fat-7, fasn-1, nhr-49, acs-2 and aco-1;P < 0.01).Cold stress significantly increased the expressions of heat shock proteins hsp-70 and hsp16.2(P < 0.05) but lowered the number of mitochondria (P < 0.0001) and the expressions of atfs-1, sod-2, sod-3 and gpx-1(P < 0.05).Knockout of fat-5, nhr-49 or both fat-5 and fat-6 obviously enhanced the sensitivity of C.elegans to cold stress as shown by further reduced activity (P < 0.05) and reduced survival rate at 24 h (P < 0.0001) under cold stress.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to a low temperature at 4℃ results in lowered lipid metabolism of adult C.elegans accompanied by a decreased mitochondrial number and quality control ability, which triggers high expressions of stress-related genes and causes reduction of antioxidant capacity, thus callsing lowered activity and reduced lifespan of C.elegans.

Three new species of Macrostomum (Platyhelminthes, Macrostomorpha) from China and Australia, with notes on taxonomy and phylogenetics

In this paper, three species of the macrostomid free-living flatworm genus Macrostomum are described. Two species, Macrostomumlittorale Wang & Shi, sp. nov. and M.shekouense Wang & Shi, sp. nov., were collected from coastal water at Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. One species, M.brandi Wang & Shi, sp. nov., was collected from Perth, Western Australia and Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. Macrostomumlittorale sp. nov. differs from congeneric species within the genus in the length of the stylet, diameter of stylet opening, and the bend of the stylet. Macrostomumshekouense sp. nov. and M.brandi sp. nov. differ from similar species within the genus in the stylet morphology, position of the female antrum and developing eggs, or presence or absence of the false seminal vesicle. Phylogenetic analysis based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene shows that M.littorale sp. nov. and M.hystrix are sister clades on two well-separated branch, M.shekouense sp. nov. and M.brandi sp. nov. are sister clades on two well-separated branches. Accordingly, both morphological and molecular evidence support M.littorale sp. nov., M.shekouense sp. nov., and M.brandi sp. nov. as three new species.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar NiTi and 304 stainless steel joints produced by ultrasonic welding

Superelastic NiTi alloy and 304 stainless steel (304 SS) were joined with a Cu interlayer by ultrasonic spot welding (USW) using different welding energy inputs. The surface morphology, interfacial microstructure, mechanical properties, and fracture mechanisms of the dissimilar NiTi/304 SS USWed joints were studied. The results showed that the surface oxidation intensified with increasing ultrasonic welding energy due to mutual rubbing between tools and sheets. The weld interface microstructure exhibited voids or unbonded zones at low energy inputs, while an intimate contact was established at the joining interface when applying a higher energy input of 750 J. With increasing energy input to 750 J, the weld interface shows two interfaces due to the behavior of plastic flow of Cu interlayer. The lap-shear load of the joints first increased, achieving a maximum value of ∼690 N at an energy input of 750 J, and then decreased with further increase in welding energy. Interfacial failure was observed at NiTi/Cu interface at all energy inputs, and no intermetallic compounds were found on the fracture surfaces of both the NiTi/Cu and Cu/304 SS interfaces.

Establishment of human embryonic stem cell WAe009-A-74 carrying a Long QT syndrome mutation in KCNH2

Long-QT syndrome type 2 (LQT2) is a common malignant hereditary arrhythmia. Due to the lack of suitable animal and human models, the pathogenesis of LQT2 caused by human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) deficiency is still unclear. Herein, we have generated a human embryonic stem cell line (WAe009-A-63) carrying a LQTS related mutation in KCNH2. The WAe009-A-74 line maintained stem cell like morphology, pluripotency, normal karyotype and could differentiate into all three germ layers in vivo.

The effect of levosimendan on right ventricular function in patients with heart dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Levosimendan exerts positive inotropic and vasodilatory effects. Currently, its effects on right heart function remain uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis is intended to illustrate the impacts of levosimendan on systolic function of the right heart in patients with heart dysfunction. We systematically searched electronic databases (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase and Web of Science) up to November 30, 2020, and filtered eligible studies that reported the impacts of levosimendan on right heart function. Of these, only studies whose patients suffered from heart dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension were included. Additionally, patients were divided into two groups (given levosimendan or not) in the initial research. Then, RevMan5.3 was used to conduct further analysis. A total of 8 studies comprising 390 patients were included. The results showed that after 24 h of levosimendan, patients' right ventricular fractional area change [3.17, 95% CI (2.03, 4.32), P < 0.00001], tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion [1.26, 95% CI (0.35, 2.16), P = 0.007] and tricuspid annular peak systolic velocity [0.86, 95% CI (0.41, 1.32), P = 0.0002] were significantly increased compared to the control group. And there is an increasing trend of cardiac output in levosimendan group [1.06, 95% CI (- 0.16, 2.29), P = 0.09 ] .Furthermore, patients' systolic pulmonary arterial pressure [- 5.57, 95% CI (- 7.60, - 3.54), P < 0.00001] and mean pulmonary arterial pressure [- 1.01, 95% CI (- 1.64, - 0.37), P = 0.002] were both significantly decreased, whereas changes in pulmonary vascular resistance [- 55.88, 95% CI (- 206.57, 94.82), P = 0.47] were not significant. Our study shows that in patients with heart dysfunction, levosimendan improves systolic function of the right heart and decreases the pressure of the pulmonary artery.

Interference with the expression of S1PR1 or STAT3 attenuates valvular damage due to rheumatic heart disease

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) affects numerous individuals annually; however, its pathogenesis remains unclear. The sphingosine 1‑phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) have recently been shown to be involved in valvular damage via the promotion of the differentiation of T helper 17 (Th17) cells during the development of RHD‑induced valvular damage. The present study investigated whether altering the expression of S1PR1 or STAT3 attenuates valvular damage due to RHD. Inactivated group A streptococcus (GAS) was used to establish a rat model of RHD. Recombinant adeno‑associated viral vectors carrying an S1PR1 overexpression sequence were used to overexpress S1PR1. STAT3 small interfering RNA (STAT3‑siRNA) was used to inhibit STAT3 expression. Reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR (RT‑qPCR) was performed to detect the mRNA expression of S1PR1, STAT3, collagen type III α1 chain (Col3a1) and fibroblast‑specific protein 1. Western blotting (WB) and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the levels of S1PR1, STAT3, phosphorylated (p‑) STAT3, and retinoic acid‑related orphan receptor γT (RORγt) proteins. Enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the levels of interleukin (IL)‑6 and IL‑17. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and Sirius Red staining were performed to evaluate the degree of inflammation and fibrosis in the valvular tissues. S1PR1 expression was decreased in the valvular tissues of the rats with RHD. The levels of IL‑6, IL‑17 and p‑STAT3 in the rats with RHD were increased. The degree of valvular inflammation and fibrosis in the rats with RHD was also increased. The overexpression of S1PR1 and the inhibition of STAT3 reduced the total p‑STAT3 level, resulting in decreased levels of IL‑6, IL‑17 and RORγt, and a reduced degree of valvular inflammation and fibrosis. These results suggest that the expression of S1PR1 and STAT3 may be involved in valvular tissue damage due to RHD. Thus, strategies designed to interfere with the expression of S1PR1 or STAT3 may affect the expression of Th17 cell‑related cytokines and may thus attenuate valvular damage due to RHD.

[Effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation on pharmacokinetics of antimicrobial drugs: recent progress and recommendations]

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an effective means to provide life support for patients with severe respiratory or heart failure. Existing studies have shown that ECMO may affect the metabolic process of some drugs by drug adsorption, increasing the apparent distribution volume and changing the clearance rate of the drugs. This review summarizes the recent progress in the studies of the effect of ECMO on the pharmacokinetics of antibacterial and antifungal drugs. For the antibacterial drugs, it is recommended that the dose of teicoplanin, imipenem, and linezolid should be increased during ECMO support, while the dose of azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and tigecycline should not be modified for the time being. Currently studies on pharmacokinetic changes of antifungal drugs during ECMO support remain limited. Voriconazole can be absorbed substantially by ECMO due to its high lipophilicity, and higher doses are therefore recommended. The dose of micafungin also needs to be increased in children undergoing ECMO. However, current evidence concerning the dose of caspofungin and fluconazole are limited, and it is not clear whether the routine dose should be adjusted during ECMO support.

Glycosylated hemoglobin levels and the risk for contrast-induced nephropathy in diabetic patients undergoing coronary arteriography/percutaneous coronary intervention

Backgrounds

Diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients undergoing Coronary arteriography (CAG)/percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is the gold standard to measure blood glucose control, which has important clinical significance for evaluating blood glucose control in diabetic patients in the past 3 months. This study aimed to assess whether preoperative HbA1c levels in diabetic patients who received CAG/PCI impacted the occurrence of postoperative CIN.

Methods

We reviewed the incidence of preoperative HbA1c and postoperative CIN in 670 patients with CAG/PCI from January 1, 2020 to October 30, 2020 and divided the preoperative HbA1c levels into 5 groups. Blood samples were collected at admission, 48 h and 72 h after operation to measure the Scr value of patients. Categorical variables were compared using a chi-square test, and continuous variables were compared using an analysis of variance. Fisher’s exact test was used to compare the percentages when the expected frequency was less than 5. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to exclude the influence of confounding factors, and P for trend was used to analyze the trend between HbA1c levels and the increased risk of CIN.

Results

Patients with elevated HbA1c had higher BMI, FBG, and LDL-C, and they were more often on therapy with hypoglycemic agents, Insulin and PCI. They also had higher basal, 48 h and 72 h Scr. The incidence of CIN in the 5 groups of patients were: 9.8, 11.9, 15.2, 25.3, 48.1%. (p < 0.0001) The multivariate analysis confirmed that in the main high-risk subgroup, patients with elevated HbA1C levels (≥8.8%) had a higher risk of CIN disease. Trend test showed the change of OR (1.000,1.248,1.553,2.625,5.829).

Conclusions

Studies have shown that in diabetic patients undergoing CAG/PCI, elevated HbA1c is independently associated with the risk of CIN, and when HbA1c > 9.5%, the incidence of CIN trends increase. Therefore, we should attach great importance to patients with elevated HbA1c at admission and take more active measures to prevent CIN.

[Visual analysis of research progress on emotional labor of medical staff in China]

Objective: To summarize the research progress of medical emotional labor in China, and provide data reference for medical workers in the field of emotional labor. Methods: In March 2020, we searched the research content of emotional labor of medical workers through CNKI system, and analyzed it by using CiteSpace software. We visualized the topic of emotional labor of medical workers by using the knowledge map formed by keyword co-occurrence and keyword clustering, as well as the emergent words and time zone map. The analysis contents include the basic information characteristics of the selected literature, research hotspots and topics, research trends and frontiers. Results: The first related literature was published in 2008, and 126 related literatures were retrieved. Research hotspots include 'emotional labor', 'nurse', 'work burnout', 'medical staff' and 'work satisfaction', etc. Topics can be divided into three categories: research objects, variables affecting factors and medical workplace. There are 24 emergent words. In 2008, 2011, 2013, and 2015, important turning points for research changes exist. Conclusion: In the future, researchers in China can try to broaden the scope of medical subjects and influencing factors, etc., and be closely linked to the results of existing studies.

PARP inhibitor niraparib as a radiosensitizer promotes antitumor immunity of radiotherapy in EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Poly-(ADP-Ribose)-Polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) were reported as radiosensitizers in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with wide-type epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), but the effects of radiation combined with PARPi were not investigated in EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms were not well examined. This study aimed to study the efficacy of radiation combined with niraparib in EGFR-mutated NSCLC and explore their influence on the immune system.

METHODS

Clone formation and apoptosis assay were conducted to explore the effects of niraparib and radiation. Immunofluorescence was conducted to detect the double-strand DNA breaks. Real-time PCR and immunoblotting were employed to evaluate the activation of STING/TBK1/TRF3 pathway and the expression levels of interferon β, CCL5 and CXCL10. Immunocompetent mice model bearing with subcutaneous Lewis lung cancer was established to confirm the results in vivo.

RESULTS

Niraparib and radiation were synergistic to inhibit tumor both in vitro and in vivo. Radiation plus niraparib could activate anti-tumor immunity, which appeared as increased CD8⁺ T lymphocytes and activated STING/TBK1/IRF3 pathway.

CONCLUSION

PARPi not only as a radiosensitizer inhibited EGFR-mutated NSCLC tumor growth, but also cooperated with radiation to promote anti-tumor immune responses.